We stay on the Best Coast, somewhat, for this week’s entry in our NFL Thursday miniseries: Vegas, baby! Seems kind of weird, though, doesn’t it? The Oakland Raiders were founded in 1960 as part of the AFL, and after winning one league title there (1967), the team also won the Super Bowl twice in the smallest “City by the Bay” (1976, 1980). Then, the Silver & Black moved to Los Angeles in 1982 and won another title (1983).

Since then, though, it’s been a rough road for the Raiders. Eventually, they moved back to Oakland in 1996 and lost another Super Bowl in 2002. Most recently, the team moved to Las Vegas (2020), and while the overall franchise winning percentage is good (.520), most people think in more-recent terms of the Silver & Black really being a losing organization. Not winning a title in 40 years can do that to a team, of course.

No. 5: 2000 Oakland Raiders

With a 12-4 record, this version of the Silver & Black finished first in the AFC West, thanks to the No. 3 offense and the No. 9 defense. The Raiders also were No. 1 in the SRS rankings overall, and they looked very strong in shutting out Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins, 27-0, in the divisional round of the postseason. But the Baltimore Ravens came into the Coliseum and beat Oakland, 16-3, to advance to the SB.

Quarterback Rich Gannon (20 Approximate Value), wide receiver Tim Brown (15), and guard Steve Wisniewski (15) were the value leaders on this deep roster, which featured 16 players with at least 8 AV. The Raiders defense held the Dolphins to 204 total yards while intercepting Marino three times. However, the Ravens defense was legendary: it intercepted Gannon four times and held Oakland to just 191 total yards.

No. 4: 1977 Oakland Raiders

This team was the defending champ—and the best one of the John Madden era. With an 11-3 record, the Raiders finished second to the Denver Broncos in the AFC West. The offense was No. 1, but the defense was ranked just 14th—adding up to the No. 2 spot in the overall SRS. In the playoffs, Oakland famously escaped the Baltimore Colts in double overtime before losing the rubber match to the Broncos in the AFC title tilt.

The offensive line was the heart and soul of the team: tackle Art Shell (16 AV) and G Gene Upshaw (16). As a result, fullback Mark van Eeghen (16) was the prime beneficiary. The playoff game against the Colts saw nine lead changes, with the Raiders winning in 2OT at home. After beating Denver on the road during the regular season by 10 points, Oakland lost, 20-17, in the playoffs at Mile High Stadium, thanks to three TOs.

No. 3: 2002 Oakland Raiders

Strangely, none of the SB-winning teams made this list, but this team lost the Big Game in brutal fashion. With an 11-5 record, the Raiders won the AFC West, and Gannon was the voted MVP. Oakland featured the No. 2 offense, the No. 6 defense, and the No. 1 overall SRS ranking. But after winning their two AFC playoff games by a combined 37 points, the Raiders were blown out in the Super Bowl by their old coach, 48-21.

The five most valuable guys on this team are an interesting mix: Gannon (17 AV), center Barret Robbins (17), running back Charlie Garner (16), T Lincoln Kennedy (16), and free safety Rod Woodson (16). But after rolling the New York Jets, 30-10, and the Tennessee Titans, 41-24, facing former leader Jon Gruden and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was just too much for Oakland. Gannon tossed 5 INTs, including 3 pick sixes.

No. 2: 1968 Oakland Raiders

A 12-2 record left these Raiders atop the AFL West, albeit tied with the Kansas City Chiefs. Oakland fielded the No. 1 offense, the No. 2 defense, and the No. 1 overall SRS ranking in their league. After splitting matchups with the Chiefs in the regular season, though, the Raiders torched K.C. in a divisional playoff by 35 points. However, facing the Jets and Joe Namath in the AFL Championship, Oakland lost late, 27-23.

Twelve played registered at least 10 AV, including the team leaders on defense: tackle Dan Birdwell (14), cornerback Willie Brown (14), and FS Dave Grayson (14). Against the Chiefs, the Raiders jumped out to a 21-0 first-quarter lead and cruised. But in a rematch of the Heidi Game during the season won by Oakland on a late comeback, this time it was the Jets pulling off the last-minute victory that meant a SB berth.

No. 1: 1967 Oakland Raiders

The best team in organizational history won the AFL Championship, readily—but lost the Super Bowl to Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers. The Raiders went 13-1 to win the AFL West, behind the No. 1 offense, the No. 2 defense, and the No. 1 overall SRS ranking. QB Daryle Lamonica was voted the league MVP as Oakland trounced Houston in the AFL title game, 40-7. But then it was all Packers in Super Bowl II.

Lamonica (15 AV), CB Kent McCloughan (15), and linebacker Dan Conners (14) were the value guys here, as 11 players reached double digits. The Raiders took a 30-0 lead against the Oilers before allowing a score, allowing just 146 yards overall while forcing 3 TOs. Green Bay won the Big Game, 33-14, in Lombardi’s final outing with the team, but it could be argued the Packers were working on emotional energy overall, clearly.